Top 12 Vancouver events by local artists in 2012

Ask anyone in the B.C. arts scene about the outlook for 2012 and the discussion inevitably turns to money. As the province with the lowest per capita arts and cultural funding, it’s an obvious point to focus on for anyone trying to make ends meet while creating. The double whammy of cash infusions from the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Cultural Olympiad and the Vancouver 125 celebrations are over and now it’s wait and see about reinstating gaming grants and so on.

However, this ongoing debate sometimes overshadows the reality that incredible art is being produced by our local and provincial creative sector.

Whether under the umbrellas of various festivals — and Vancouver does love to bundle individual productions into this format — or on their own, a look ahead from January until the usual “season ending” month of June reveals an amazing and exciting variety of premieres coming up. The spirit of forging ahead is there in both big and small organizations too, as this list of 12 coming arts events in 2012 shows.

Here’s what we’re excited about so far this year.

1. East Van Comedy, Havana Theatre (1212 Commercial), Sun./Mon., ongoing, 8 p.m. Tickets/Info: EastVanComedy.com: Beginning with this weekend’s '30s-style radio serial titled Blackout Broadcast, various local funny folks are coming together to keep the guffaws going into the new year. Among those involved are Graham Clark (The Laugh Gallery), Ghost Jail Theatre, Sara Bynoe’s Teen Angst and Say Wha?! literary nights, Pump Trolley Comedy’s sketches and more. Among the other bonuses of the location is the Cuban dining and cocktails to help the laughing.

2. Dostyevsky’s The Idiot, Frederic Wood Theatre (UBC), Tues. - Sat., Jan. 20 - 29, 7:30 p.m. Matinees, Sat./Sun., 2 p.m. Tickets: $28 -$34 advance at ubctheatre.universitytickets.com; $30 - $36 at the door. Info: theatre.ubc.ca: NewWorld Theatre and Vancouver Moving Theatre revisit the work of Russian author Dostoyevsky once again. The group’s presentation of Crime and Punishment was a big hit. This near-absurdist social critique promises to be every bit as intense as well as downright funny. A rare opportunity to see such a complex writer so well adapted to the stage. Part of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.

3. The Pack a.d., Rickshaw Theatre (254 E. hastings), Jan. 28, 8 p.m. Tickets: $16 at liveatrickshaw.com: With its fourth album, Unpersons, this local duo has finished the transition from its quite straight ahead blues origins into a fierce garage punk crew with more variety and depth in both the playing and songwriting. Just check the video for “Take” modelled after Gary Newman’s “Cars” (and actually endorsed by Newman) for a taste of what you’ll get. With Pierced Arrows and the mighty Black Wizard.

4. Chelsea Hotel: The Words and Music of Leonard Cohen, Firehall Arts Centre (280 E. Cordova), Previews, Feb. 3 - 5 & 7. Opens Feb. 8 - March 3. Tickets/Times/Info: firehallartscentre.ca: Local powerhouse writer, director, actor, what-have-you Tracey Power’s newest work incorporates the work of one of Canada’s most beloved poet/musicians into a multi-disciplinary work of music, dance and theatre.

5. No Sinner, Biltmore Cabaret (395 Kingsway), Feb. 3, 9 p.m. Tickets: TBA: Thanks to a colleague posting this group’s video for “Boo Hoo Hoo,” I got on the tip for this buzz-making band. Fronted by powerhouse Colleen Rennison with drummer Ian Browne, guitarist Eric Campbell and Black Mountain bassist Matt Camirand, this group rocks like Sharon Jones fronting the Detroit Cobras. All good and one to watch.

8. Gordon, Arts Club Revue Stage (1585 Johnston St., Granville Is.), March 1 - 24, various times. Tickets: $25 and up at artsclub.com: Written by Morris Panych, this looks to be something of a noir-esque family reunion/crime caper number. Sure to be peppered with winning dialogue and plots twists as its author is great at this sort of thing.

10. Yukon Blonde, Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville), April 27, 8 p.m. Tickets: $26.50 ($18 ticket + $8.50 fees) at ticketmaster.com: Local Okanagan transplants have graduated to headlining the city’s premiere live club. With a new recording out by this time and probably some serious airplay for some of the new songs, this one is likely a sellout scenario. Good on them.

11. Ballet B.C.’s Bliss, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, May 10 - 12, various times. Tickets: ticketmaster.ca: Ballet BC resident choreographer Jose Navas’ latest is a new “classical dance but from a contemporary point-of-view.” He’s looking to bring back the more pure movement of the classical form in modern times.

12. Tovey/Murrell: The Inventor, Orpheum Theatre (884 Granville), June 9 & 11, 8 pm. Tickets: $21.50 - $84 at vancouversymphony.ca: VSO Maestro Bramwell Tovey’s opera debuted in Calgary to good critical response. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that John Murrell’s libretto tells the story of the tragic life of Alexander “Sandy” Keith Jr., the nephew of the well-known Canadian brewmaster, a person of interest to many culture lovers. This is the concert version with the original cast and Maestro Tovey conducting.

The annual 10-day event attracts thousands of people — riders and fans — to the mountain resort

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.